Pastel look

[Isedo]

Hi guys, another look post :-)
Anyone have any advice on how to get this pastel look?

http://www.taylorjames.com/wp-content/uploads/BEETLE-L91.jpg?1390520936

I'm not talking about the car painting or the d&B but the overall color pastel look. Thanks a lot.

[Veralisa]

Re: Pastel look

Could you mean something like this? All done with levels adjustments moving the center gray marker as close to the left as you wish. I'm sure it's not what the pros would do, but if I needed to create a soft pastel background, that's what I'd do.

[Aladdin]

Re: Pastel look

This is not pastel, most likely was done using AIM RGB profile along with curves and such. There was a post here long time ago regarding the subject.

Search this forum for AIM RGB or just AIM profile.

[Flashtones]

Re: Pastel look

These looks are always a matter of having a conversation between your eyes and your brain. In the reference image I see a background that is light, desaturated and warm. So figure a layer of your choice for each.

I chose HSL to desaturate, Curves to lighten and Selective color to warm the whites. Threw them all in a group named Pastel and put a mask over the left side to show the original colors. If I wanted reds to remain saturated (like the red railing in your target image) I could mask them accordingly, or, in the likely case of the target image, color them after the fact.

And looking at my result again, I probably should have further desaturated the greens, which would have been easy in the HSL layer.

The image isn't mine. Credit to the photographer. Found it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atoach/7956957816/

[Isedo]

Re: Pastel look

Thanks so much guys for your answers, I'll look for Aim Rgb and I'll also try the Flashtones advice which is very well written. Thanks again, this place is awesome as always.

All my best, as I'll do some tries I'll post you the result with some personal tips (if i'll have some :-d )

[Aladdin]

Re: Pastel look

Do a search on Christian Schmidt, you will find the post, warning, too long, read near the end of it, I have posted step by step. Good luck, heh (yea, good luck getting to the bottom of it).

Let me know if you can't find it.

[Isedo]

Re: Pastel look

Ahahahah, found that post. U refer the one here or on model mayhem?

[Isedo]

Re: Pastel look

Still reading that thread :-D

[Aladdin]

Re: Pastel look

I attached a before after just to give you an idea to what the AIM RGB profile can do.
I did not do any D&B on the car, as is. This picture is off Google search.

Steps:
- Download this www.aim-dtp.net/aim/download/aim_profiles.zip [if you can find it]
- Unzip
- Right click the profiles, and choose "Install". This makes them avail. in PS. C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\color
(it's the AIM RGB we're looking for)

- Open a picture
- Edit - Convert to profile -> Adobe RGB (1998)
- Edit - Assign profile - AIM RGB
and again
- Edit - Convert to profile -> Adobe RGB (1998)
- Edit - Assign profile - AIM RGB
- Duplicate Background layer
- Set copy to Multiply
- Still on copy -> Blending Options - Alt-click "Underlying Layer" and drag the white(on the right) slider to about 112.
- Add a Curves layer, and drag the black slider to about "Input 25".

You might have to do it for the third time just to "wash" some of the prominent colors then use masks to blend

[skoobey]

Re: Pastel look

before-AIM Q.jpg

No AIM conversions, no nothing. Just a couple of adjustment layers, super loose masking and introduction of a railing instead of the dark horizon.

You don't need AIM for this kind of thing.

[Aladdin]

Re: Pastel look

[ATTACH]93925[/ATTACH][ATTACH]93924[/ATTACH]

No AIM conversions, no nothing. Just a couple of adjustment layers, super loose masking and introduction of a railing instead of the dark horizon.

You don't need AIM for this kind of thing.

I don't think the OP is interested in "couple of adjustment layers", give him a step by step instructions, after all, anything, no matter what, that comes out of Photoshop, is nothing more than "couple of adjustment layers", isn't this what photoshop is all about?

I don't see how you are helping him by giving vague answer!

[skoobey]

Re: Pastel look

Agreed, here's the psd http://www.sendspace.com/file/wdxbga

[Aladdin]

Re: Pastel look

Thanks,

However -there is always however- Utilizing the AIM RGB, all you need is 2 layers, the Background and the converted layer on top.

Your method utilizes 6 adjustment layers! not counting car and additional stuff you added.

Bottom line, there is always more than one way to do anything in Photoshop.

@Isedo: There, you have more than one way to do it, enjoy...

[skoobey]

Re: Pastel look

... But you get stuck with what AIM conversion does, and you can always merge this and use it as a smart object.

That was my point, it's the look we're after, and there are so many methods.

[bbvds]

Re: Pastel look

juste wanted to say thanks guys, love this forum and how it help newbies (me)